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"It's with great pride that I launch a new extension of the Dark Science Electro brand with a new feature called 'Premieres'. Certainly not a new/original concept, however, the thing that will set Dark Science Electro Premieres apart from other publishers will be my singular focus on Electro music. The idea is to introduce existing DSE fans to the promos that I get regularly from labels and artists. Each 'Premiere' will feature one full track from an upcoming release as well as a few words about the release either written by DVS NME, the artist or the label." - DVS NME (5/26/2018)
Dark Science Electro PREMIERES
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For our next @DarkScienceElectro premiere, we get an update from one of the godfathers of the 'Electrobass' sound that permeated Florida all throughout the 2000's. Larry McCormick decided to retire his alias @Exzakt to focus on new energy a few years back and we are just recently starting to see the fruits of that labor. During that time he created a good number of tracks that he intends on putting out over a series of releases in the future. This is the second of his 'Intelectro' sound focused releases, the first having been on Shipwrec.
'Eyes On Me' is one of six tracks on his upcoming release for his own imprint 'Monotone Records'. This tune represents one of a number of tracks where he concentrated completely on the art of the music as opposed to the expectations he might put on himself for production in previous years as @Exzakt. 'Eyes On Me' is a track that has clearly been inspired by old rave tracks from the early 90's which the main synths and leads absolutely reflect. This vinyl was officially launched on 7/23 and is available now.
Available for order here:
Additional resources:
For our next premiere, I'm happy to present to you a track by The Exalticsfeaturing Gerald Donald (aka Rudolph Klorzeiger) - "Das Heise Experiment 2" marks the 6th album of The Exaltics and the 45th release of their, now 11-year-old label, Solar One Music.
This fantastic vinyl release is not going to disappoint anyone who is familiar with the work of The Exaltics and their label. Its amazing presentation sets it apart in a big way with full-color artwork (by Godspill), unique packaging and included comic book make this a must-have for any fan of contemporary Electro music. The music contained within this release range from dark experimental Techno, Electro, Ambient and soundtrack-ish nightmares which goes perfectly with the story of the comic.
The track selected by DVS NME to premiere for Dark Science Electro is the collaboration track between The Exaltics and the one and only Rudolph Klorzeiger. This track is one of a handful of standouts on the release, however, this composition really struck me as the single. If not for its obvious collaborative pull, for its 125 BPM speed and Electro-focused nature. The elastic bassline and creepy strings pull you in while a well-crafted lead synth conjures images of private investigators on a distant planet attempting to solve a mystery.
This record is absolutely not club music which is one of the reasons why I was so excited to get the opportunity to premiere a track from the release. This and much of what SOM has been doing is one of the reasons I started a weekly podcast to begin with. This dark, strange, cold side of Electro music is why I do what I do and I'm very proud to share this with you all. Turn your headphones on and dive into the world of aliens, scientists, and distant galaxies.
For our next premiere, we head to Sweden for a release from Joacim @Thenander (also known as Maschine Brennt) on @Ukonx Recordings - Since the relaunch of the label a couple months back the label is armed and ready to deliver more quality Electro music, this time in the form of a 4 track EP.
As indicated by the visual-artistic direction of Machine Brennt's projects, he is very influenced by Kraftwerk, as with many Electro producers. That fact doesn't audibly bear out so much for this release however previous releases by Maschine Brennt absolutely echo the work of the Godfathers of Electro. The title track of the EP is 'Frisq' and the track that I have selected to premiere for @DarkScienceElectro is the @Deemphasis remix of the track. This dark and minimal remix is the standout track on the release with the other few tracks being more experimental Electro. This digital release becomes available on August 5th.
Purchase here: ukonx.bandcamp.com/
Clips here: Ukonx – Ukx10-maschine-brennt-frisq-ep
Additional resources:
For our 27th premiere on @DarkScienceElectro we look into the mysterious Italian artist known as @FedericoLeocata - Rumor has it Federico was uncovered by one of the most revered figures in Electro music, Gerald Donald. Whether this is idle gossip or not doesn't take away from the fact that he is absolutely worthy of your attention, having already released on some amazing labels. His first release came in 2009 and was quickly followed up by releases on @weme-records, @FrustratedFunk, @abstract_forms, @last-known-trajectory, @cpurecordsand others. Now Leocata is lending his clinical skills to @Shipwrec with his new release entitled 'Archetypen'.
This new 4 track release is much of what you have come to expect from @FedericoLeocata. Cold, dark, weird, scientific Electro music. I spoke with Federico about the release and he told me that the release is "a journey into collective unconscious." He continued to describe the idea behind the EP as a way to "describe different realities inside human beings like an observer of unconscious dynamics". I also wanted to point out that the fantastic cover art was done by the artist as well and is focused on the symbology of archetypes. The track selected by @DVSNME to premiere for @DarkScienceElectro is the frigid sounding 'Von Der Flue'. The digital EP is available now via Clone.
Purchase: clone.nl/digital/item3819695.html
Additional resources:
For our next premiere for @DarkScienceElectro we take a listen to a track from the debut album by @TerensK from the East Coast of the US. This relative newcomer produces primarily with Roland gear yet also loves Novation for his efforts. He discovered Electronic music through the mid to late 90s Big Beat rave culture like The Crystal Method, Chemical Brothers and The Prodigy. Terens K. is more of a shadowy psychonautic figure in his approach to making dark Electro music and this is clearly conveyed in the music he produces. He draws influence from Daniel Miller's @The-Normal as well as Electro darlings Drexciya. "A journey into the mind" is quite literally his intention with the recordings. The concept that they aren't exactly thought-out, but they are representative fragments of memories or dreams that were documented though the playing and recording of a track while being an 'Altered State' mentally.
The track selected by @DVSNME to premiere is the track 'Relativity'. This spacious track is the third of 6 tracks on the album and delivers some serious haunted mansion vibes with it. The driving stop-and-go bassline paired with zappy percussive traits makes this song an absolute standout. Menacing pads loom over the track during its five and a half minute run while short synth stabs and synth-flourishes mix things up in the latter half of the production. This entire release is worth picking up if you are fans of the sound currently being produced by artists like @Das-Muster, @FedericoLeocata or the classic sound of Dopplereffekt or @Kobol-Electronics. This album is available for purchase now and was released on July 6th.
Purchase here: terensk.bandcamp.com/releases
Additional resources:
TerensKResearchLab @ gmail.com
For the 31st installment of premieres on @DarkScienceElectro we take a listen to a track from a new compilation. The track selected features @Obergman & @Dr-Lindh for Latvian-based label @BlindAllies
This EP is mostly centered around Latvian producer -=UHU=- (with 5 of 6 tracks being produced by him alone or in tandem with others) however the standout track in my opinion was produced only by Luke Eargoggle and Obergman. Remindful of classic Der Zyklus, this track contains modulated bass lines, creepy synth flourishes and a straight forward approach to percussive sounds with a TR-606. My favorite feature of the track is the use of space between the synth hits throughout the track. This vinyl is sure to please with 6 tracks of solid Electro.
You can purchase the vinyl beginning on the 17th of September: www.juno.co.uk/products/uhu-kan3…ission/696555-01/
Additional resources:
For the next premiere on @DarkScienceElectro we take a listen to an upcoming release by @Daniele-Daduano for the two-year old label @R12_music
R12 records was born of two minds influenced by many different genres and experiences, created and managed by Daniele Paduano and @Angela-Dragonetto as a means of diffusion for many of their artistic concepts. The name R12 (a refrigerant used in many industrial processes) was influenced by studies and interests in chemistry by Daniele. For the label's ninth release this Berlin-based artist brings us a 4-track EP with 1 track focused on Techno and the other 3 honed in on Electro sounds. The entire EP was recorded in Naples, between the autumn of 2017 and the winter of 2018. All tracks are characterized by its main sounds obtained from a linear Roland Synth. The track selected by @DVSNME to premiere is the opening track entitled 'Trading Codes'. This track oozes with the sounds of Elektron's powerful 'Analog Keys' synth as well as the Roland D-05/DX7 providing support with pads. Ethereal atmospheres and a pulsing bass dance around 808 rhythms that give the track some spontaneity. This release is coming out on digital September 17th with a vinyl release to follow shortly at the beginning of November.
Pre-order here: r12records.com/album/modern-world-ep
Additional resources:
For our next premiere on @DarkScienceElectro we will be checking out a track from one of my favorite contemporary labels pushing Electro music. @brokntoys is a five-year old label from London run by Anwar and this is their 24th vinyl release in their relatively short history, which has highlighted many of the best artists in Electro music today.
Today we take a listen to a track from UK artist @Koova, who has been making music under the moniker for at least a decade. With releases on @Shameless-Toady, @Abstract_Forms, @CPUrecords, @CrobotMuzik and more. 'Conducere' presents the producer showcasing his personal take on the genre, with 4 tracks of tense, melodic Electro. The track selected to premiere is third track on the record and is entitled 'Frustration'. The track was produced using a ton of modular gear for FX and drums as well as Juno 6, Korg Polysix, Prophet 12, Sequential Pro One for synths. I love the track for it's simple (yet effective) bass line, dark melody and playful/understated arpeggio programming. This release comes highly recommended by me and is released on September 3rd.
Purchase here: brokntoys.bandcamp.com/album/bt24-koova-conducere
Clips here: Brokntoys – Bt24-koova-conducere
Additional resources:
Dvsnme – Dark-science-electro-presents-koova
The next installment in the premieres feature on @DarkScienceElectro we take a listen to a track from a new release from Irish producer @Lerosa-Music from a new label based in Germany (@eudemoniarecords) that is focused on Ambient, Electro and Techno
Active since the early 2000's, Lerosa has had a series of twelve inche releases on labels like @LunarDiskoRecords, @Further-Records, @Photic-Fields and many more. His musical palette ranges anywhere from Electro to Techno to Dub, drawing on sci-fi books to set the scene for his audio explorations. He utilizes a hybridized rig with all sounds coming from analog and digital sources sequenced by a Yamaha Rs7000. Lerosa has never been much of a gear fetishist and absolutely reinforces the idea that "it is the ear, not the gear" making the most of any hardware he uses in his productions. This track is a nod to William Gibson's 'Neuromancer', specifically the tale of Screaming Fist and their failed midnight cyber-attack with gliders. The track selected by @DVSNME to premiere for @DarkScienceElectro is the opening track on the vinyl which features Acid-soaked basslines and 808 rhythms. The rest of this record features 3 other tracks that step away from the Electro formula and venture into Synthwave and Italo Disco.
Purchase here: www.juno.co.uk/products/lerosa-t…eption/701419-01/
EP clips here: Eudemoniarecords – Lerosa-theme-of-perception-1
Additional resources:
For our next premiere on @DarkScienceElectro we turn to a relatively new label called @hilltown-disco for a V/A release centered around a returning member of the Hilltown family, Crossmods
This release comes from the Dundee, electronic imprint, Hilltown Disco with five tracks of versatile sounds ranging from Techno to Electro. The label is still in their early stages but is onto their second vinyl release and 4th release over all. The imprint turns to the French Electro-duo, Crossmods who seem to have the stamp of approval from the label, having released previously as well. The track selected by @DVSNME to premiere for Dark Science Electro is the @datawave remix of the opening track entitled 'Delia's Dream'. In this track they create a spaced out, atmospheric melody with an aggressive bass line and quirky synths. However the remix by @Datawave sticks out like amazing sore thumb on this release. The EP also features tracks from Chris Moss Acid, Ansata and Crossover Network. This vinyl release is forthcoming.
Alert when available: www.juno.co.uk/artists/Crossover+Network/
Additional resources:
or the next premiere on @DarkScienceElectro we turn to @Datawave, who should be on your radar by this point in the game if you have been paying attention to my output as Dark Science Electro on social media sites. I've been screaming (from the Electro mountain top) about how fantastic this newcomer's work is and it looks like he is getting some traction with a new full-length release on @Talahachi is a UK-based record label focused on rhythmic electronic music, operating from the science department of North Middlesex Technical College and they have been active since 2014. With their new release we see the first full-length release from @Datawave. This Belgian producer has arranged a collection of tracks that truly highlight his flexibility within the Electro music genre. The name 'Telesto' comes from the name of a small moon floating in the orbit of Saturn, which plays into the theme of the release which is centered around an imaginary future in which a long-abandoned orbiting weather station starts transmitting signals again. The track features classic 808 drum programming as well as lush pads combined with sparse, stop-n-go bass lines. Subtle supporting synths bring additional depth to the track by way of dreamy atmosphere. The album is released on September 30th.
Purchase here: talahachi.bandcamp.com/
Additional resources:
Our next premiere comes to us from Belgian producer @FabriceLig
Known mostly for his Techno productions, Fabrice has actaully been producing music since 1992 and shows no signs of slowing down. For this release, he has reached back into his catalog of music to put together a very special release that focuses on his early inspirations in Electro music. He grew up in the 70's with his father listening to Jean Michel Jarre & Kraftwerk but it wasn't until he discovered Electro music in the US from New York, Detroit and other inspiration like Prince as well as Zapp & Roger, that he started to produce the music you will hear on this release. Almost every track on this new release was produced prior to 1997 and used machines like Roland TR-909, 808, a TB-303, a SH-101 (his favorite synth), an Elka Synthex, a Moog Source, a VP 330, CR 8000, Pro One and a Juno 60.
The track selected by @DarkScienceElectro to premiere is called 'You Don't Sleep' and features some of the classic sounds that you would expect to hear given the aforementioned pile of gear. Pulsing SH-101 bass lines, creepy Juno 60 pads and the VP-330 vocal reverberating throughout the song. This self-released album is available now on his Bandcamp page.
Buy here: fabricelig.bandcamp.com/album/electro…op-collection
Additional resources:
For our next @DarkScienceElectro premiere we look to Italy, where we will take a listen to a track from 'AIC'
AIC (Andromeda In Catene) are 2 young guys that are Sound Engineers by training and now live in Milan, Italy. Tony has a background as a multi-instrument musician and thanks to those skills he takes command of playing all synths during live performances. Edoardo is focused on programming beats, normally TR-606 and Analog RYTM. Their first live appearance was during an event at Macao and now they are preparing a gig with Orbiter Crew in Milan.
The track selected to be premiered on @DarkScienceElectro is the most straight-forward Electro track on the release with some of the others veering into New Romantic/New Wave-influenced territory. You can listen to clips here: Fu-me-rec – Aic-resilienza
This release will be pressed as a cassette (limited to 50 copies)as well as digitally stores by FU.ME records starting the 16th of October.
Purchase here: fumerec.bandcamp.com/album/resilienza
For the next @DarkScienceElectro premiere we will be taking a listen to a track from an upcoming release by a Berlin-based newcomer calling herself ADT (@Angela-Aragonetto)
Born and raised in Naples, Italy, ADT got her first taste of IDM music while taking ballet classes as a teenager. Over time, she expanded her knowledge into the Techno and Electro realm. Angela and her longtime partner @Daniele-Paduano run the label @R12_music, which will be the imprint that releases this 12".
The track selected to premiere ahead of the release is the opening track of the record called 'Departure For Peace'. The track features beautiful detuned synths generated by the Roland JX-03 and JU-06 and layered masterfully throughout the composition. The rhythm is provided by the TR-808 and uses a straight-forward approach to driving the track forward with a little help from a high-pitch arpeggio. The song has an almost human feel to it with a seemingly-unquantized lead that was clearly played live over the otherwise sequenced track. This new face in the ever-growing list of Electro music participants is one to keep an eye on.
This release will be available for pre-order in the next month or on the label's Bandcamp page here: r12records.com/
Additional resources:
Next up on @DarkScienceElectro premieres we bring you a producer from Georgia calling himself DJ @Najaora
@CatchRecordings is an electronic music record label, owned and run by Brett Osbourne and Rob Chadwick that is focused on the diverse sounds of Electronic music. After a log break, Catch Recordings return with their 13th release, this time from DJ Najaora. He's from the ever growing Electronic music region in Georgia who's sound is showcased across left-field Techno & Electro tracks.
@Najaora has been producing music since his teenage years when he was obsessed with Post-Punk music and played in a band, however, now his scope of interest isn't limited to one genre. He is currently working on two other projects with 'DJ Najaora' being the more Electro centered project. The track selected by @DVSNME to premiere on Dark Science Electro is the dreamy track titled 'Space Call'. This track really stood out to me with it's low resonance Acid bass sequences, ominous pads and classic use of the TR-808. This release is available now and was released officially on September 28th.
Buy the record here: www.juno.co.uk/products/dj-najao…ers-ep/704598-01/
Additional resources:
For the next premiere we look to a relatively new Russian label Propaganda Moscow for their second EP for the "Code" series.
The track selected to premiere for Dark Science Electro is entitled 'The Synth Who Sleeps'. It stays true to form for Ekman utilizing minimal beats and focuses on creating a haunted vibe with pulsing bass lines and creepy synth work.
Our next Dark Science Electro premiere takes a look at the debut LP from current Electro wunderkind Jensen Interceptor
After a ton of EPs on labels ranging from Cultivated Electronics to Central Processing Unit and his own International Chrome imprint, Sydney-based producer Jensen Interceptor debuts on Lone Romantic with his long-awaited full-length release, 'Mother'.
Mikey Melas has steadily released music as Jensen Interceptor since 2012 and in that time has made quite the impact on fans and party-goers alike. With his seemingly endless flow of music and charisma, this Aussie producer has managed to fly the Electro flag like a seasoned vet, playing shows all around the world and opening up the minds of a new generation of fans.
The track selected by Dark Science Electro to premiere is the first track on the C side of this double-LP and is called 'Ufology'. As the name hints, this track is on that outerspace-grind with fast-moving bass lines, synth arpeggios and a set of alien-sounding pads and leads. The track is punctuated with a great rhythmic groove that creates an overwhelming feeling of cruising through the streets of Detroit in a spaceship.
Next up on @DarkScienceElectro premieres, we check back in with the Japanese label @Anti-Gravity-Device for their latest offering with an EP by @NoiseNoise
Noise&Noise is an Electro producer based in Beijing, China. His music is filled with references to futurism, often touching on themes of science and technology. This producer has been active since 2011 and has since released on labels like @ANTIZER0, @TransientForce, Tokyo Beat Records and made countless appearances on compilations from Fundamental Records, @LesDisquesCockpit and more.
The track selected to debut on @DarkScienceElectro clocks in at 148 BPM and focuses less on the percussive aspects of the song and more the dizzying layers of ominous synths that lead you down a dark, five-minute path. I have always likened the style of @NoiseNoise to Gerald Donald's work as Der Zyklus or Dopplereffekt and I think that would be a hard thing to argue after taking a listen to his discography. Cold, dark and always daring. His new release with @Anti-Gravity-Device will be available November 8th.
Purchase here: anti-gravity-device.bandcamp.com/
Additional resources:
For our next @DarkScienceElectro premiere, we dive into the latest release from French producer @Djedjotronic.
For their 0100010th release, @CPUrecords bring us the powerful work of @Djedjotronic. This four track EP is as straight-forward Electro as it gets. I had a hard time selecting a track to premiere but eventually landed on '#1#0#2'. Clocking in at 130 BPM, this track absolutely glistens with the kind of Electro you have learned to expect from both Djedjotronic as well as the consistent output of @CPUrecords. This track features steady rhythms with an almost motorik feel, driven by custom samples via the Analog Rytm. The brilliantly spaced-out synth sounds in the song were made using Roland SH-01 and the Access Virus. This is one you don't want to miss. The record is available for pre-order now and will officially be released on November 23, 2018.
Buy here: shop.cpurecords.net/album/cruising
Additional resources:
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An Illinois Republican official resigned from his leadership post Thursday amid outrage over an email in which he berated a biracial former Miss America as a "street walker" who could fill a law firm's "minority quota" if she loses her bid for Congress.
The controversy, involving a county GOP leader in central Illinois who campaigned for U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, created a new rift for Republicans already struggling to expand and attract women and minority voters.
Davis demanded the resignation of the county official, Jim Allen, after learning of what he called a "wrong, appalling and incredibly demeaning" email targeting Erika Harold, Davis' opponent in the March 2014 Republican primary.
Sent to Republican blogger Doug Ibendahl, the email referred to Harold as a "street walker" and "love child" of Democrats and suggested the Harvard graduate could fill a "minority quota" at a law firm should she lose the race.
Ibendahl, also a former party official, posted the email Wednesday on his website.
"I hope some of these bullies learn a lesson from this," he told the Associated Press on Thursday. "Our party has a huge branding problem nationwide, especially in Illinois. This guy's attitude sets us back. It's confirmation as to why women and minorities don't take the Republican party seriously."
Allen apologized for his message in a brief statement to the (Champaign, Ill.) News-Gazette and resigned from his post Thursday afternoon.
Harold released a statement, saying Allen's comments have "no place within public discourse."
Champaign County GOP Chairman Habeeb Habeeb -who is staying impartial in the 13th District GOP primary - was so offended by the comments he left a message for Harold and personally apologized to her father.
"I don't see that kind of vitriol in everyday Republican circles," Habeeb said. "The party has changed and these things just set us backward."
The incident highlights the rocky path the national party has forged in recent months, with comments such as Allen's derailing efforts by the GOP to become more of a "big tent" organization.
After performing poorly at the polls in November, Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus released a "prescription" for the party's future. Along with changing its tone on social issues to win over younger and minority voters, the party would need to make a concerted effort to elevate more women, Priebus said.
Along with state party officials, Priebus on Thursday joined in the chorus calling for Allen's resignation, via Twitter.
"Chairman Allen's astonishingly offensive views have no place in politics. He should apologize and resign immediately," Preibus wrote.
Harold seeks to be catalyst for change in the GOP. When she announced her bid earlier this month, Harold said she believes she can help expand the party's voting base and reach people who don't traditionally vote Republican.
Former Illinois GOP Chairman Pat Brady, who stepped down last month after coming under fire from state central committeemen over his support of gay marriage, said comments like Allen's are an unfortunate distraction.
Without a Republican governor in Illinois or a Republican president to act as the party's "mouthpiece," Brady said, these comments only get more traction. But they also create a sort of wag-the-dog situation, working to block the election of Republican to those roles.
Davis' congressional district in in central Illinois has been targeted by the Democratic Congressional Committee as a pick-up seat in 2014.
Davis, a freshman, in November defeated emergency room doctor David Gill by approximately 1,000 votes. It was Gill's fourth bid for Congress.
"We do need to welcome folks from all walks of life, regardless of where they come from what they look like and what their policy preference is," said Davis said. "There are no excuses for his behavior. I am not making any. I sure hope it doesn't affect my campaign."

subset: commoncrawl


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Most people near the starts of their careers aren't typically
thought of as leaders in the workplace. Not only do they inhabit a low
spot in the office hierarchy and lack experience and skills, but also
many are too timid and insecure to assume a leadership role. But with
the right attitude, an observant eye and a desire to learn, any young
professionals can prevail early on.


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'The Quest' was the Official Newsletter of the Knightmare Adventurers Club. Members could enter exclusive competitions, send in contributions, and receive discounts on Knightmare merchandise (in the last issue). There were 10 issues of 'The Quest', with the last in summer 1995. They are all available to read here.
(The pages are reproductions of the printed version of 'The Quest'. Some bits unrelated to Knightmare have been removed, and some pictures may not be very clear, but otherwise it's as faithfully reproduced as possible.)


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Territorial A-ZA | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | 0-9
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Authors: Hale, Edward Everett, 1822-1909
Date: 1854
This volume is generally accepted as the first book on Kansas. It dealt with Nebraska Territory also. The author, Edward Everett Hale indicated that he had researched the various memoirs and exploration journals of the various white men who had visited the area before its creation as a territory. This research resulted in a narrative history that focused on Native Americans and events in the area prior to 1854. Hale also included information about emigrant aid companies and the volume included some printed letters from emigrant aid company agents. The volume included the charter and "objects" of the Massachusetts Emigrant Aid company, which was organized in March, 1854. Hale also provided some information on the Emigrant Aid Company of New York and Connecticut, which was organized in July, 1854 and the Union Emigration Society. The Appendices include the constitution of the Worcester Co. Kanzas League and a letter from George S. Park describing the Kansas and Smoky Hill river valleys.
Keywords: American Indians (see also Native Americans); Emigrant aid companies; Emigrant aid companies - Free state; Emigration and immigration; Exploration; Hale, Edward Everett, 1822-1909; Journals; Kansas River, Kansas Territory; Landscape; Massachusetts; Massachusetts Emigrant Aid Company; Native Americans; Park, George S.; Railroads; Settlement; Smoky Hill River, Kansas Territory; Thayer, Eli, 1819-1899; Union Emigration Society; Worcester County Kansas League


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The User's Perspective
Summer 2012
GASB Pension Revamp Introduces Major Improvements
In June 2012, the GASB approved two new Statements that substantially improve how both pension plans and state and local governments report and account for pension benefits. These new Statements will bring about significant enhancements in the usefulness of pension information for making related decisions and for assessing accountability.
Statement No. 68, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Pensions, relates primarily to reporting by governments (employers) that provide pension benefits, and Statement No. 67, Financial Reporting for Pension Plans, relates to reporting by the pension plans that administer those benefits. The new Statements arise from the GASB's reexamination of its existing pension standards, which is a part of the GASB's broader effort to examine the effectiveness of its standards on an on-going basis to determine whether they remain well attuned to the evolving government environment and continue to yield essential information.
It should be emphasized up front that these new Statements relate only to accounting and financial reporting—that is, how pension costs and obligations are measured and reported in audited external financial reports. The new pronouncements do not address how governments approach pension plan funding—their policy regarding how much money to contribute to a pension plan each year. While for some time there has been a close relationship between how governments fund pensions and how they account for them, the new Statements decisively shift from a funding-based approach to an accrual accounting-based approach. The GASB crafted the new Statements with the fundamental belief that funding is a policy decision for government officials to address primarily as a part of the government's budget approval process.
How Pension Benefits Give Rise to a Liability
Generally speaking, state and local government employees receive two types of compensation in return for their years of service—current compensation and deferred compensation. Both types are earned by the employees as they work. While salaries and other forms of current compensation are received by employees during their employment, pensions and other types of deferred compensation are not received until after employment with government has ended.
Once earned by employees, a government has a present obligation to pay the pension benefits in the future—a total pension liability. Most governments try to meet this obligation by making annual contributions to a pension plan to accumulate resources that are invested long term for the purpose of making benefit payments when they come due. To the extent that the total pension liability is greater than the value of the assets available in the plan for paying benefits, a government has a net pension liability, and will now report that amount as a liability in its accrual-based financial statements.
What This Means for You
Until now, the difference between a government's total pension funding obligation and net position available for benefits—often called the unfunded liability—has been disclosed in the notes, but has not appeared on the face of the financial statements. This has resulted in some analysts being uncertain whether to incorporate the unfunded liability into financial ratios that include debt and other long-term liabilities. Recognition in the financial statements, alongside other liabilities such as outstanding bonds, claims and judgments, and long-term leases, emphasizes that the net pension liability is another obligation that governments will be required to fulfill. It is a major step toward getting all significant resources and obligations into the financial statements and more accurately depicting a government's financial standing.
Measuring the Net Pension Liability
In order to determine the amount to be recognized as the net pension liability, the total pension liability must first be measured. Calculating the total pension liability is a three-step process. It involves projecting future benefits payments for current and former employees and their beneficiaries, discounting the projected future benefit payments to their present value, and allocating the present value to past, present, and future years.
The new Statements carry forward the general current practice of incorporating expectations of future employment-related events (like salary changes and years of continuing employment until retirement) into projections of pension benefit payments. Provisions for automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), generally included as part of an employment agreement, statute, or ordinance, will continue to be included in projections as well. Ad hoc COLAs, which are made at the discretion of the government, will also be included only if they occur with such regularity that they are substantively automatic.
The process of converting or discounting projected pension benefit payments into their present value requires the assumption of an interest or discount rate. Standards have required governments to apply a discount rate based on the expected future rate of return on the investments of the pension plan over the long term.
Under the new Statements, governments will project the future benefit payments in each year and the amount of plan assets available for paying benefits to current employees, retirees, and their beneficiaries. As long as plan assets are projected to be greater than the projected benefit payments, governments will discount those projected benefit payments using the long-term expected rate of return. This is appropriate because, unlike other liabilities, pension liabilities are paid off in part with the income generated by long-term investments held in an irrevocable trust, thus reducing the cost of those benefits to the taxpayers.
If the projections of plan assets cease to be greater than projected benefit payments at some point, then from that "crossover point" forward governments will discount projected benefit payments using a municipal borrowing rate—a yield or index rate for tax-exempt, 20-year general obligation bonds rated AA/Aa or higher (or an equivalent rating). This rate reflects that those future benefits payments are not expected to be made in part with the pension plan's long-term investments held in an irrevocable trust but, rather, with the general resources of the government—like many other long-term liabilities.
Once the projected benefit payments have been discounted to their present value, they are allocated to past, present, and future periods of employee service. Under the new Statements, governments will use the entry age actuarial cost method to allocate present value as a level percentage of payroll. Under this method, projected benefits are discounted to their present value when employees first begin to earn benefits and attributed to all of the employees' expected periods of employment.
What This Means for You
The changes in the new Statements improve the measurement of both components of the net pension liability—the amount of the total pension liability and the value of plan assets (plan net position).
The following changes in how the total pension liability is measured will result in a potentially very different amount than what is currently reported as the "actuarial accrued liability":
- The potential for including ad hoc COLAs in the projection of benefits will mean the amount of projected future pension benefit payments may be higher for some governments than under the requirements now in place. Consequently, the present value of the future benefit payments and the net pension liability to be reported by those governments will be larger.
- Because current municipal bond index rates are lower than expected returns on long-term investments, governments that discount projected benefit payments using the bond rate will have a higher present value and, consequently, the net pension liability reported will be larger.
- Regarding allocating the present value of projected benefit payments to periods, users of pension information have let the GASB know that making comparisons across governments can be difficult, if not impossible. This is due in part to the fact that governments have been able to select from among six allocation methods, each of which has multiple additional options. The use of a single approach under the new Statements will significantly improve the consistency and comparability of the pension information you will receive.
The unfunded liability calculated under the previous standards is the difference between the actuarial accrued liability and the "actuarial value of assets." The actuarial value of assets is not the fair value of the plan's investments as of the measurement date of the liability. Rather, annual changes in the fair value of the plan's investments are "smoothed" into the actuarial value of assets—in other words, they are added to the actuarial value incrementally, generally over three to five years.
Under the new standards, however, the net pension liability is the difference between the total pension liability and the fair value of the plan's assets, with no smoothing. The result is a liability measurement that will be more up to date and will better reflect current conditions than under the previous standards.
Calculating the Annual Cost of Pensions
A government's net pension liability is the difference between its total pension liability and the value of pension plan net position available to pay pension benefits. This amount changes from year to year for a variety of reasons, such as: employees work and earn more benefits; the outstanding liability accrues interest; contributions are made to the plan; actual economic and demographic factors that affect the projection of benefit payments differ from what was assumed in actuarial calculations ("experience" gains and losses); changes are made in those assumptions; the features of pension benefits are changed (often, they are enhanced); and the value of plan investments changes. An important issue is when to recognize these increases and decreases in the net pension liability as a cost of a government's operations—as pension expenses in the accrual-based financial statements.
Under the new requirements set forth by the GASB, several causes of changes in the net pension liability would be factored into the calculation of pension expense immediately in the period the change occurs, including:
- Benefits earned each year
- Interest on the total pension liability
- Enhancements and other changes in benefits
- Projected earnings on plan investments (which reduce expense)
- Changes in plan assets other than from investments.
The effects on the total pension liability of (a) selecting different economic and demographic assumptions and (b) experience gains and losses will be recognized initially as deferred outflows of resources or deferred inflows of resources and then introduced into the expense calculation systematically and rationally over the average remaining years of employment of all employees (active employees and inactive employees, including retirees), beginning in the year in which they occur.
The effect of differences between the expected earnings on plan investments and actual experience will be recognized as deferred outflows of resources or deferred inflows of resources and included in expense in a systematic and rational manner over a five-year closed period, beginning in the year in which they occur.
What This Means for You
The new pension Statements more closely link the recognition of pension expense with the period over which pension benefits will actually be earned—as employees provide services. As a result, most governments will recognize pension expenses more quickly than they do at present. The full impact of changes in pension benefit features would be recognized as expense immediately, for example, rather than gradually over up to 30 years as has been allowed. The period over which deferred amounts will be included in pension expense—the average remaining years of employment—is likely to be significantly shorter than 30 years as well. Previously, changes in the value of plan investments often were introduced into the actuarial accrued liability over a three- to five-year period (as described earlier) and then recognized as part of expense over a period up to 30 years. The new five-year closed period, which is intended to reflect a typical market cycle, is clearly a considerably quicker introduction into pension expense.
Cost-Sharing Multiple-Employer Pension Plans
In cost-sharing multiple-employer plans, governments share the costs of providing benefits and administering the plan, and pool the assets accumulated to pay benefits. Governments participating in cost-sharing plans are not currently required to present actuarial information about the plan. Instead, this information is required to be presented only in the cost-sharing pension plan's own financial statements for all of the participating governments combined. However, GASB research has demonstrated that the needs of the users of information about cost-sharing plans and their participating governments are essentially the same as the needs of people interested in governments participating in single-employer pension plans and agent multiple-employer pension plans (those in which separate accounts are kept for each participating government).
Accordingly, in developing the new Statements, the GASB determined it is important that users have equivalent information about cost-sharing plans and their participating governments so that they are able to make the same types of decisions as they are about governments participating in single-employer and agent multiple-employer plans.
The new Statements require that cost-sharing governments report a net pension liability, pension expense, and pension-related deferred inflows and outflows of resources based on each participating employer's proportionate share of the collective amounts for all the governments in the plan.
What This Means for You
Under the new Statements, you will have access to essentially the same pension information about individual governments irrespective of the type of plan they participate in. This represents a major advance in transparency and users' ability to make comparisons from government to government.
Note Disclosures and Required Supplementary Information
The notes and other information that governments provide to accompany their reported financial statement pension amounts are necessary to allow users to gain a full understanding of those government's financial picture as it relates to pensions. The new Statements contain requirements for disclosing information in the notes to the financial statements and presenting required supplementary information (RSI) following the notes. Governments participating in a defined benefit pension plan will include the following information in their note disclosures:
- Descriptions of the plan and benefits provided
- Significant assumptions employed in the measurement of the net pension liability
- Descriptions of benefit changes and changes in assumptions
- Assumptions related to the discount rate, including a sensitivity analysis of the impact on the net pension liability of a 1 percentage point increase and decrease in the discount rate
- Net pension liability, pension-related deferred outflows of resources and deferred inflows of resources, and pension expense
Governments in single and agent plans also will disclose, for the current period, the beginning and ending balances of the net pension liability, and the effects of changes during the period (such as the effects of service cost, benefit changes, and actual investment earnings).
Single and agent governments will also present RSI schedules with the following information for each of the past 10 years (generally on a prospective basis):
- The beginning and ending balances of the total pension liability, the plan's net position, and the net pension liability, and their components (the same information as the single-year note disclosure described above, but for the past 10 years)
- Total pension liability, the plan's net position, the net pension liability, a ratio of the plan's net position to the total pension liability, the covered-employee payroll, and a ratio of the net pension liability as a percentage of the covered-employee payroll. If there is a special funding situation, as discussed below, the net pension liability will be divided between the amount associated with the employer and the amount associated with the nonnemployer entity.
If a single, agent, or cost-sharing government has an actuarially determined annual pension contribution (or, if not actuarially determined, then a statutorily or contractually determined contribution), it is also required to present an RSI schedule with the following information for each of the past 10 years (generally on a prospective basis): (1) the actuarially (statutorily or contractually) determined annual pension contribution; (2) the amount of employer contribution actually made; (3) the difference between 1 and 2; (4) covered-employee payroll; and (5) a ratio of 2 divided by 4.
The new Statements also require governments to present notes to the RSI schedules regarding factors that significantly affect the trends in the schedules. Single and agent employers also should present significant assumptions if not disclosed elsewhere.
What This Means for You
Under the new pension Statements, you will have access to significantly enhanced information about how governments measure their pension liabilities and expenses. The information required to be disclosed under the new Statements will allow users to determine what has driven changes in the net pension liability in the period—was it was factors beyond a government's control, such as the economic environment, or within a government's control, such as retroactive changes in benefit features?
The 10-year RSI schedules will help users to understand not just where a government stands now regarding its pension obligations, but how it got there. That historical perspective is an important aspect of evaluating government finances.
Special Funding Situations
Special funding situations are circumstances in which (a) a nonemployer contributing entity (such as a state government) is legally responsible for contributions directly to a pension plan for the employees of a government (such as school districts located within that state) and (b) one or both of the following is true:
- The nonemployer is the only entity with a legal obligation to make contributions directly to the plan
- The amount of the contributions for which the nonemployer is legally responsible is not dependent upon one or more events unrelated to the pensions.
In a special funding situation, the nonemployer has essentially assumed a portion of the employer's pension obligation as its own. Consequently, if the nonemployer is a government, it will recognize in its own financial statements its proportionate share of the employer's net pension liability, pension expense, and deferrals.
The government benefitting from the nonemployer's contributions in a special funding situation will calculate its net pension liability, pension expense, and deferrals prior to the nonemployer government's support in certain cases, and will disclose those amounts. However, it will recognize in the financial statements only its proportionate share, net of the portion assumed by the nonemployer contributing entity.
What This Means for You
At present, it may be difficult for you to understand the extent to which governments are obligated to make contributions to another government's pension plans. This new requirement will allow users to gain a better understanding of all of the liabilities and expenses a government has incurred for pensions—both for its own employees and the employees of other governments.
Defined Contribution Pensions
The provisions discussed thus far related to defined benefit pensions—those that specify the benefits to be provided to the employees after the end of their employment. Participating governments make contributions to the plan in order to accumulate assets, which will be available in the future to make the promised benefit payments. Conversely, defined contribution pensions stipulate only the amounts to be contributed to an employee's account each year, and not the benefits employees will receive after the end of their employment.
The new Statements generally carry forward the existing requirements regarding defined contribution plans. Participating governments will report an expense equal to the amount they are required to contribute for employee service each year and a liability, if any, equal to the difference between that required contribution and what the government actually contributes. These governments also would make descriptive disclosures about the plan and its terms, and the method by which contributions to the plan are determined.
Effective Dates
Statement 67 will take effect for pension plans in fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2013 (June 30, 2014, and later financial reports). Statement 68 will take effect for employers and governmental nonemployer contributing entities in fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2014 (June 30, 2015, and later financial reports). However, the GASB encourages plans and governments to implement the new standards earlier.
More Information
Read the News Release
Read the Plain-Language Article
Read the full text of the Statements


text:
Maksim Chmerkovskiy danced his way into our hearts, but he's ready to move on.
He will not return to Dancing With the Stars after his contract expires, his rep confirms to E! News. He has three cycles of the show (two after the all-stars season) left to compete.
"What else do I have to do there after 15 seasons?" he told the New York Post.. "It makes total sense. The audience can't expect for me to want to stick around, and the producers can't expect for me to want to stick around."
U.S. & World
News from around the country and around the globe
Hope Solo claims Maksim slapped her on DWTS
"I loved doing it. But to be honest with you, at 32, I am at what-about-me time," he said.
Meaning? Acting, of course!
"I caught the bug, as they say," he said. "This is something I really want to do."
But fret not. We don't have to say goodbye to Maks on the dance floor quite yet. He and season 12 partner Kirstie Alley will be competing in the DWTS all-star season beginning on Monday.
All of DWTS' all-star pairings
"We may have had a couple of weeks last time that we cruised on popularity or fan appeal or whatever," he said. "But I am not really sure that is going to work for us this time. I am not sure people are going to vote for us just because it is us."
We'll make sure to cast our votes.


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Some of the most famous photographs ever taken were captured during the Sixties. This decade of huge cultural and political change saw photographers driving forward the cult of celebrity and yet also demanding answers over major problems like the Vietnam War and South Africa's Apartheid.
London's David Bailey was almost as famous as the pop stars and skinny models that he photographed. New York's Andy Warhol also embraced the camera as the Pop Art movement continued to grow. Established photographers like Robert Frank, Ansel Adams, Irving Penn and Paul Strand all continued to create memorable images.
Many photographers were taking an introspective view of America and its problems – Ed Ruscha's art and photography heavily featured southern California and its rapid growth. Others were quite simply fascinated by beautiful girls although photographs of beautiful men, from surfers to bodybuilders, were commonplace. Swing back to the 1960s with these classic photography books.


text:
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text: Newsletters of our Economics Programmes Twice a semester we send out our newsletter "Economics@HSG" with news on our degree courses and events. Moreover, we give insights into different topics with interviews with faculty, students and alumni. Newsletter "Economics@HSG" Autumn Semester 2019 No. II Autumn Semester 2019 No. I Spring Semester 2019 No. II Spring Semester 2019 No. I Autumn Semester 2018 No. II Autumn Semester 2018 No. I Spring Semester 2018 No. II Spring Semester 2018 No. I Autumn Semester 2017 No. II Autumn Semester 2017 No. I Spring Semester 2017 No. II Spring Semester 2017 No. I Once a semester we inform our PEF students about news, events, new and interesting lectures and seminars as well as about our alumni. Newsletter "PEF@HSG" Autumn Semester 2018 Spring Semester 2018 Autumn Semester 2018


text:
Closing Date: 15th July 2010
Contest Source: CATALOG FB page
Contest Type: Online
Prize: Triwa watches (x3)
Feeling lucky? Score yourself some free arm candy: CATALOG has 3 TRIWA watches to give away. Just "like" the watch design you'd like to own and winners will be selected by random draw. And yes, you can like more than one design.
Contest Empire's Rating
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CATALOG Magazine - Triwa Watch Giveaway! [15Jul2010]
Labels: online


text:
Coup d'Etat in America?
This article is a follow-up on an earlier text entitled:
Bush Administration "Guidelines" for Postponing or Canceling the November Presidential Elections, by Michel Chossudovsky, 10 July 2004, http://globalresearch.ca/articles/CHO407C.html
Based on so-called "credible" reports, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge has warned that Osama is now "planning to disrupt the November elections". A large scale attack on American soil is said to be planned by Al Qaeda during the presidential election campaign:
"… Credible reporting indicates that Al Qaeda is moving forward with its plans to carry out a large-scale attack in the United States in an effort to disrupt our democratic process… This is sobering information about those who wish to do us harm… But every day we strengthen the security of our nation." (Quoted in AP, 8 July 2004)
"Possible targets" include the Democratic National Convention in July and the Republican Convention in New York in August.
Barely a few days prior to Tom Ridge's spectacular announcement, a spokesman of Northern Command Headquarters at Patterson Air Force Base in Colorado, confirmed that Northcom (which has a mandate to defend the Homeland) was "at a high level of readiness" and was proceeding with the (routine) deployment of jet fighters over major cities as well as the posting of troops at key locations. (Atlantic Journal and Constitution, 3 July 2004).
Canceling or Postponing the Elections
This new terror warning by Homeland Security, not to mention the impending military deployment, has served to create an aura of insecurity concerning the November presidential elections.
Meanwhile, postponement of the election has become a talking point on major news channels including CNN, following the release of a letter by the Director of the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, calling for so-called "guidelines" to cancel or reschedule the election in the case of a terror attack (For details see http://globalresearch.ca/articles/CHO407C.html )
Legal procedures for canceling/rescheduling the elections are under study, at the request of DHS Secretary Tom Ridge, by the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel, which is examining the legal and constitutional implications. (Washington Post, 14 July, 2004)
The Military and Intelligence apparatus working in liaison with Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Authority (FEMA) are indelibly behind this process, pointing to the unthinkable: the possibility of a Coup d'Etat in America.
Meanwhile, the cancellation / rescheduling of elections issue is presented to public opinion as a mere technical question, as a means to "protecting democracy," in the case of a terror attack. CNN has asked people "to vote" on their website, on whether they think the elections should be held in the case of a terror attack. It all sounds very democratic.
Crying Wolf on Terrorism. Who is the Wolf?
The terror alert level has been raised to orange (high alert) five times since September 11, 2001. There have been numerous other terror warnings since the "color coded" alert system was first established in the wake of 9/11.
There is, however, evidence from police sources that at least two of these five high profile post-9/11 code orange terror alerts were fabricated. (February 7, 2003, and December, 21, 2003) (for details and documentary evidence see http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/CHO402A.html ).
There is also ample evidence that Al Qaeda is an creation of the US intelligence apparatus and that the terror network is supported by the Bush Administration. (See http://globalresearch.ca/articles/11SEPT309A.html , http://globalresearch.ca//by-topic/sept11/ , http://globalresearch.ca/articles/CRG204A.html )
The most recent DHS announcement has all the appearances of yet another fabricated report of an impending attack by an illusive "outside enemy". Amply documented Al Qaeda is not only a CIA sponsored "intelligence asset", the disinformation regarding the terror attacks emanates out of US intelligence. (See http://globalresearch.ca/articles/CHO405E.html )
Details of the police/intelligence investigation regarding Secretary Tom Ridge's July terror warning have not been provided. US officials, have said that they do "not have specific knowledge about where, when or how such an attack would take place, but the CIA, the FBI and other agencies are said to be "actively working to gain that knowledge.'"
Code Red Alert and Martial Law
The possibility of a code red terror alert has been announced time and again since September 11 2001, with a view to galvanizing public opinion across the country in support of an emergency situation, if and when it occurs. The terror alerts have become part of America's day to day life:
"at each threat condition [yellow, orange, red], federal departments and agencies would implement a corresponding set of "Protective Measures" to further reduce vulnerability or increase response capability during a period of heightened alert. (see http://www.fema.gov/pdf/areyouready/security.pdf
Supported by a barrage of media propaganda, these repeated terror alerts have created an environment of fear and intimidation, a wait and accept attitude, a false normality. US citizens are led to believe that a military solution is required to protect democracy.
In other words, the possibility of an impending attack on America by this "outside enemy" has been accepted by the American public; this tacit acceptance has set the stage for the adoption of "the highest threat level": code red alert.
What the US public is not aware of is that a code red alert suspends civilian government, it triggers a whole series of emergency procedures. It is tantamount to a Coup d'Etat. (Although in many regards the Coup d'Etat has already taken place under the post-9/11 anti-terrorist legislation and the rigging of the 2000 elections which brought George W. Bush into the White House.)
Preparing for Code Red
Homeland Security (DHS) has in fact been contemplating a code red alert "scenario" –using Al Qaeda as a pretext– for more than a year. In May 2003, the DHS conducted a major "anti-terrorist exercise" entitled TOPOFF 2. The latter was described as "the largest and most comprehensive terrorism response and homeland security exercise ever conducted in the United States." The exercise was based on code red assumptions involving a simulated terrorist attack.(see http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/CHO402A.html ).
A code red alert, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) , would create conditions for the ("temporary" we are told) suspension of the normal functions of civilian government, implying the cancellation or postponement of federal and State elections.
According to FEMA, code red would:
Increase or redirect personnel to address critical emergency needs; Assign emergency response personnel and pre-position and mobilize specially trained teams or resources; Monitor, redirect, or constrain transportation systems; and Close public and government facilities not critical for continuity of essential operations, especially public safety. (FEMA, http://www.fema.gov/pdf/areyouready/security.pdf )
Northern Command would take over. Several functions of civilian administration would be suspended, others could be transferred to the jurisdiction of the military. More generally, the procedure would disrupt government offices, businesses, schools, public services, transportation, etc.
A secret "Shadow government" under the classified "Continuity of Operations Plan" was installed on September 11, 2001.(See http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A20584-2002Feb28?language=printer ). Known internally as "Continuity of Government" or COG, the secret Shadow government would become functional in the case of a red code alert, redeploying key staff to secret locations.
Code red alert would, according to FEMA, also preclude and repress any form of public gathering or citizens' protest which questions the legitimacy of the emergency procedures and the installation of a police state. The emergency authorities would also exert tight censorship over the media and would no doubt paralyze the alternative news media on the internet.
Code red alert would trigger the "civilian" Homeland Emergency response system. The latter is already in place including DHS Ready.Gov instructions, the Big Brother Citizen Corps, not to mention the USAonWatch or Neighborhood Watch Program which has a mandate to "identify and report suspicious activity in neighborhoods" across America.
The Role of the Military
What would be the involvement of the Military in an code red emergency situation?
In theory, The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 prevents the military from intervening in civilian police and judicial functions.
In practice, the Posse Comitatus Act is dead. (See Frank Morales at http://globalresearch.ca/articles/MOR309A.html ).
The existing legislation inherited from the Clinton administration, not to mention the post 9/11 Patriot Acts I and II, "blurs the line between military and civilian roles", it allows the military to intervene in judicial and law enforcement activities even in the absence of an emergency situation.
The 1996 legislation allowed the military to intervene in the case of a national emergency (e.g.. a terrorist attack). Clinton's 1999 Defense Authorization Act (DAA) extended those powers by creating an "exception" to the Posse Comitatus Act, which permits the military to be involved in civilian affairs "regardless of whether there is an emergency". (See ACLU at http://www.aclu.org/NationalSecurity/NationalSecurity.cfm?ID=8683&c=24 , emphasis added)
In other words, the Clinton era legislation had already laid the legal and ideological foundations of the "war on terrorism".
In the context of the war on terrorism, the so-called "exception" contained in the 1999 DAA legislation nullifies the provisions of the Posse Comitatus Act:
"The new proposed exception to the Posse Comitatus Act would further expand a controversial measure adopted by Congress in 1996 that permitted military involvement in "emergencies" involving chemical and biological weapons crimes.
Under that new measure, which was proposed by the Defense Department, the military would be authorized to deal with crimes involving any chemical or biological weapons — or any other weapon of mass destruction — regardless of whether there is an "emergency." In addition, the new proposal would lift requirements that the military be reimbursed for the cost of its intervention, thus likely increasing the number of requests for military assistance.
"Under this new provision," Nojeim said, "the mere threat of an act of terrorism would justify calling in military units. That represents a loophole large enough to drive a battalion of army tanks through."
The defense authorization bill would also require the Pentagon to develop a plan to assign military personnel to assist Customs and the Immigration and Naturalization Service to "respond to threats to national security posed by entry into the U.S. of terrorists or drug traffickers."
"the mere threat of an act of terrorism would justify calling in military units. That represents a loophole large enough to drive a battalion of army tanks through." (ibid)
Despite this 1999 "exception" to the Posse Comitatus Act", which effectively invalidates it, the Pentagon and Homeland Security, anxious to remove all ambiguities, are nonetheless actively lobbying the US Congress for the outright repeal of the 1878 legislation.
"new rules are needed to clearly set forth the boundaries for the use of federal military forces for homeland security. The Posse Comitatus Act is inappropriate for modern times and needs to be replaced by a completely new law …
It is time to rescind the existing Posse Comitatus Act and replace it with a new law. … The Posse Comitatus Act is an artifact of a different conflict-between freedom and slavery or between North and South, if you prefer. Today's conflict is also in a sense between freedom and slavery, but this time it is between civilization and terrorism. New problems often need new solutions, and a new set of rules is needed for this issue.
President Bush and Congress should initiate action to enact a new law that would set forth in clear terms a statement of the rules for using military forces for homeland security and for enforcing the laws of the United States.
(John R. Brinkerhoff, former associate director for national preparedness of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), http://www.homelandsecurity.org/journal/Articles/brinkerhoffpossecomitatus.htm )
Senator Joseph Biden (a Democrat), former Chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has also being waging, since the mid-1990s, a battle for the repeal of the Posse Comitatus Act.
The Patriot Legislation
In turn, the Bush administration Patriot Acts have set the groundwork of a police state. In minute detail, they go much further in setting the stage for the militarisation of civilian institutions.
The various provisions are very detailed and precise. The USA PATRIOT ACT of 2001 entitled "Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001" as well as the "Domestic Security Enhancement Act of 2003," ("PATRIOT Act II") create the conditions for the militarisation of justice and police functions.
Even under a functioning civilian government, the PATRIOT Acts have already instated several features of martial law. The extent to which they are applied is at the discretion of the military authorities.
The 2003 Patriot Act II goes much further in extending and enlarging the "Big Brother functions" of control and surveillance of people. It vastly expands the surveillance powers, providing government access to personal bank accounts, information on home computers, telephone wire tapping, credit card accounts, etc. (for further details, see Ratical.org at http://www.ratical.org/ratville/CAH/USAPA2.html#DSEAanalysis
The Northern Command (Northcom)
The Northern Command (Northcom) (based at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado) was set up in April 2002 specifically in the context of the pre-emptive war on terrorism.
The creation of Northcom is consistent with the de facto repeal of the Posse Comitatus Act. In fact, the position of a "Homeland Defense Command" leader "in the event of a terrorist attack on U.S. soil", had already been envisaged in early 1999 by Clinton's Defense Secretary William Cohen. (http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Civil_Liberties/Posse_Comitatus_Law.html ).
Following the Bush Administration's decision to create Northcom, the White House instructed Justice Department lawyers "to review the Posse Comitatus law in light of new security requirements in the war on terrorism." The 1878 Act was said to "greatly restrict the military's ability to participate in domestic law enforcement". (National Journal, Government Record, 22 July 2002)
The role of Northern Command is defined in the Pentagon's "Joint Doctrine for Homeland Security (JP-26)" The latter constitutes a blueprint on how to defend the Homeland. Even in the case where the enemy is fabricated, and this is known at the highest levels of military-intelligence, a military coup d'Etat would become operational in terms of the detailed command military/ security provisions contained in this document (click here to consult JP-26)
According to Frank Morales, "the scenario of a military take-over of America is unfolding." And Northern Command is the core military entity in this takeover and militarisation of civilian institutions.
Northcom has a mandate to "defend the homeland" against this illusive "outside enemy", which is said to be threatening the security of America. Amply documented, the outside enemy (Al Qaeda) is a "CIA intelligence asset". (There is an extensive bibliography on this subject. (See See http://globalresearch.ca/articles/11SEPT309A.html , http://globalresearch.ca//by-topic/sept11/ , http://globalresearch.ca/articles/CRG204A.html )
Northcom Command Mission includes a number of "non-military functions" including "crisis management" and "domestic civil support" implying "military support to federal, state and local authorities in the event of a terror attack."
"the preparation for, prevention of, deterrence of, preemption of, defense against, and response to threats and aggression directed towards U.S. territory, sovereignty, domestic population, and infrastructure; as well as crisis management, consequence management, and other domestic civil support." (See http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/dod/northcom.htm )
Northcom has what David Isenberg describes as "a Creeping Civilian Mission" . Since its inception, it has been building capabilities in domestic intelligence and law enforcement. It is in permanent liaison with the DHS and the Justice Department. It has several hundred FBI and CIA officers stationed at its headquarters in Colorado. (National Journal, 1 May 2004). It is in permanent liaison, through an advanced communications system, with municipalities and domestic civilian law enforcement agencies around the country. (See Isenberg, op cit )
Meanwhile the CIA, which has a unit operating out of Northcom, has extended its mandate to issues of "domestic intelligence".
According to Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge (22 Dec. 2003): "If we go to [code] Red … it basically shuts down the country." In which case, a national emergency is declared. Northern Command deploys its forces on air, land and sea. Several functions of civilian government are transferred to Northcom headquarters, which already has the structures which enable it to oversee and supervise civilian institutions.
In other words, Northcom's "command structure" would be activated in the case of a code red terror alert. But Northcom does not require, in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 DAA, a terror alert, an attack or a war-like situation to intervene in the country's civilian affairs.
To prepare for new "law enforcement" missions for the military within America, overseen by the Northern Command, the Center for Law and Military Operations, based in Charlottesville, Virginia has published a "useful" Handbook entitled "Domestic Operational Law for Judge Advocates." According to Frank Morales, the Handbook:
"attempts to solidify, from a legal standpoint, Pentagon penetration of America and it's 'operations other than war,' essentially providing the U.S. corporate elite with lawful justification for its class war against the American people, specifically those that resist the "new world law and order" agenda." (Frank Morales, Homeland Defense and the Militarisation of America, Global Outlook, No. 6, Winter 2004, http://globalresearch.ca/articles/MOR309A.html )
According to Morales: "the 'war on terrorism' is the cover for the war on dissent." (Ibid)
The jurisdiction of the Northern Command now extends from Mexico to Alaska. Under ("bi-national") agreements signed with neighboring countries, Northern Command can intervene and deploy its forces and military arsenal on land, air and sea in Canada (extending into its Northern territories), throughout Mexico and in parts of the Caribbean. (See http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/dod/northcom.htm )
Taken together, the existing legislation grants the military extensive rights to intervene in any "emergency situation", in practice, without the prior approval of the Commander in Chief.
Concluding Remarks
America is at the crossroads of the most serious crisis in its history.
An Al Qaeda sponsored terrorist attack is being contemplated as a "trigger mechanism" for carrying out a Coup d'Etat.
Whether it is going to be carried out is another matter. The statements of the Bush administration regarding the possibility of a red code alert must, nonetheless, be taken seriously.
The coded terror alerts and "terror events" which have been announced by DHS are part of a disinformation campaign carried out by the CIA, the Pentagon, the State Department and Homeland Security.
US intelligence is not only involved in creating phony terror warnings, it is also firmly behind the terror groups, providing them with covert support.( See http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/CHO301B.html )
Documented by official police sources, at least two of the DHS's high profile post 9/11 terror alerts were fabricated. (http://globalresearch.ca/articles/CHO402A.html )
Media Disinformation
A Coup d'Etat which suspends civilian institutions is not only contemplated, it has become a talking point on network TV; it is openly debated as a "solution" to "protecting American democracy" which is said to be threatened by Islamic terrorists.
The implications of a red code alert are trivialised. Through media disinformation, citizens are being prepared and gradually conditioned for the unthinkable.
This ongoing militarisation of America is not a project of the Republicans.
The "war on terrorism" is part of a bipartisan agenda. Successive US administrations since Jimmy Carter have supported the Islamic brigades and have used them in covert intelligence operations.
"Triggering Civilian Casualties"
In 1962, the Joint Chiefs of Staff had envisaged a secret plan entitled "Operation Northwoods", to deliberately trigger civilian casualties to justify the invasion of Cuba:
"We could blow up a U.S. ship in Guantanamo Bay and blame Cuba," "We could develop a Communist Cuban terror campaign in the Miami area, in other Florida cities and even in Washington" "casualty lists in U.S. newspapers would cause a helpful wave of national indignation." (See the declassified Top Secret 1962 document titled "Justification for U.S. Military Intervention in Cuba"16 (See Operation Northwoods at http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/NOR111A.html ).
Both "the war on terrorism" as well as the domestic war on terrorism are consistent, from the point of view of military planning, with the logic of Operation Northwoods, Civilian casualties are used as "a war pretext incident", to galvanize public support for a military intervention.
Mentioned time and again by DHS Secretary Tom Ridge, a "second 9/11 attack" is contemplated; Al Qaeda, we are told, is preparing
"…a large-scale attack in the United States in an effort to disrupt our democratic process."
What we are not told is that Al Qaeda is a creation of the CIA. and that Al Qaeda remains a US sponsored "intelligence asset."
"Useful Crisis"
The assumptions and rhetoric behind Homeland Security are nothing new. They echo an earlier statements by David Rockefeller to the United Nations Business Council in 1994:
"We are on the verge of global transformation. All we need is the right major crisis and the nations will accept the New World Order."
Similarly, in the words Zbigniew Brzezinski in his book, The Grand Chessboard:.
"…it may find it more difficult to fashion a consensus [in America] on foreign policy issues, except in the circumstances of a truly massive and widely perceived direct external threat."
It is worth mentioning that Zbigniew Brzezinski, who was National Security Adviser to President Jimmy Carter was one of the key architects of the Islamic brigades, created by the CIA at the onslaught of the Soviet Afghan war (1979-1989). (See Brzezinski at http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/BRZ110A.print.html )
More recently, General Franks, the CENTCOM general who led the military campaign into Iraq, pointed in an October 2003 interview to the role of what he called a "massive casualty-producing event". (See General Tommy Franks calls for Repeal of US Constitution, November 2003, http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/EDW311A.html , see also http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/CHO402A.html ).
Franks identifies with cynical accuracy the precise Homeland Security scenario whereby military rule might be established in America using, as in Operation Northwoods, civilian casualties as a trigger mechanism:
"a terrorist, massive, casualty-producing event [will occur] somewhere in the Western world – it may be in the United States of America – that causes our population to question our own Constitution and to begin to militarize our country in order to avoid a repeat of another mass, casualty-producing event." (quoted in Ibid, emphasis added)
General Franks' statement seems to accurately reflect the mood within the US Military and Homeland Security as to how events ought to unfold. The "war on terrorism" is to provide a justification for repealing the Rule of Law, ultimately with a view to "preserving civil liberties."
This statement from an individual, who was actively involved in military and intelligence planning at the highest levels, suggests that the "militarisation of our country" is an ongoing operational assumption. It has become part of the broader "Washington consensus". It is a "talking point" not only in the corridors of the Pentagon, Langley and Homeland Security, but also in the mainstream media.
Democrats and Republicans
Some people think that a change in direction will occur if the Democrats win the 2004 presidential elections. Yet the Democrats are not opposed to the illegal occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. Nor are they opposed to the militarisation of civilian institutions, as evidenced by their initiative to repeal the Posse Comitatus Act.
While there are substantive differences between Republicans and Democrats, Bush's National Security doctrine is a continuation of that formulated under the Clinton Administration in 1995, which was based on a "strategy of containment of rogue states".
In Fall 2003, the Democrats released their own militarisation blueprint, entitled "Progressive Internationalism: A Democratic National Security Strategy":
"This 19-page manifesto that calls for "the bold exercise of American power, not to dominate but to shape alliances and international institutions that share a common commitment to liberal values." (See Mark Hand, http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/HAN403A.html
The militarisation of America is a project of the US corporate elites, with significant divisions within the corporate establishment on how it is to be achieved.
The corporate establishment and its associated thinks tanks and semi-secret societies (The Bildeberg, Council on Foreign Relations, Trilateral Commission, etc.) is by no means monolithic.
Influential voices within the elites would prefer a "softer" police state apparatus, a "democratic dictatorship" which retains the external appearances of a functioning democracy.
The Democrats' "Progressive internationalism" is viewed by these sectors as a more effective way of imposing the US economic and military agenda Worldwide. For instance, the Kerry-Edwards ticket is supported by billionaire George Soros, who has waged a scathing denunciation of George W. Bush and the Neocons.
While the US Congress and the bi-partisan consensus constitutes the facade, the Military (and their Intelligence counterparts) are, from the point of view of the corporate elites, mere foreign policy "pawns", to use Henry Kissinger's expression, acting on behalf of dominant business interests.
The Wall Street financial establishment, the military-industrial complex, led by Lockheed Martin, the big five weapons and aerospace defense contractors, the Texas oil giants and energy conglomerates, the construction and engineering and public utility companies including, the biotechnology conglomerates, are indelibly behind the militarisation of America.
Elections or no Elections?
The "war on terrorism" is a war of conquest, which supports American (and British) economic and strategic interests. Its underpinnings are supported by both Democrats and Republicans.
While a Coup d'Etat triggered by a code red alert is a distinct possibility in the months ahead, we must understand that the militarisation of civilian institutions in America is an ongoing process.
The Coup d'Etat entrenches the militarisation process. It suspends civil liberties and the antiwar movement outright. It makes any form of reversal back to civilian forms of government much more difficult to achieve.
Militarisation, however, as distinct from an outright Military Coup d'Etat, does not exclude the electoral process.
Under a Kerry-Edwards administration, the military-intelligence apparatus –which constitutes the backbone of the "war on terrorism" and of the police state– would remain functionally intact. So would Northern Command and the various Big Brother functions of the Department of Homeland Security.
One can indeed speculate on what might happen from now until the November presidential elections.
Whether the elections take place or not, the contours of a functioning police state under the facade of Constitutional government have already been defined:
The Big Brother surveillance apparatus,
the militarisation of justice and law enforcement,
the disinformation and propaganda network,
the support to terrorist organizations,
political assassinations and torture manuals,
concentration camps, extensive war crimes and the blatant violation of international law.
On the economic front, we can expect militarisation to accelerate the gamut of neoliberal economic reforms both nationally and internationally (In the later case, they would be implemented under the auspices of the IMF, World Bank and World Trade Organisation).
Militarisation will be accompanied by a new deadly wave of privatization of public services, urban infrastructure would be transferred to private companies, local economies including small scale enterprises and agriculture would be further destabilized and deregulated, etc, leading to increased levels of unemployment and the impoverishment of millions of people.
Militarisation is an integral part of the neoliberal agenda.
Related articles:
Bush Administration "Guidelines" for Postponing or Canceling the November Presidential Elections by Michel Chossudovsky, 10 July 2004, http://globalresearch.ca/articles/CHO407C.html
The Criminalization of the State, by Michel Chossudovsky, http://globalresearch.ca/articles/CHO402A.html February 2004
Homeland Defense: The Pentagon Declares War on America by Frank Morales, Global Outlook, Issue 3, Winter 2003, http://globalresearch.ca/articles/MOR312A.html
"Homeland Defense" and the Militarisation of America by Frank Morales, 15 September 2003, http://globalresearch.ca/articles/MOR309A.html
Will the 2004 Election Be Called Off? Why Three Out of Four Experts Predict a Terrorist Attack by November, by Maureen Farrell, April 2004, http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/FAR404A.html
Bush Regime working out Procedures for postponing November Election by Webster Griffin Tarpley, 10 July 2004, http://globalresearch.ca/articles/TAR407B.html
Rumor Becomes Fact as Bush Administration Asks for Authority to Suspend the Election by Michael C. Ruppert , 13 July 2004 http://globalresearch.ca/articles/RUP407A.html
Bush backers discuss canceling elections, Emergency Rule and Martial Law, by Webster G. Tarpley 12 July 2004 http://globalresearch.ca/articles/407A.html
FBI points finger at the CIA: Terror Alert based on Fabricated Information, 14 February 2003, http://globalresearch.ca/articles/CRG302A.html
Bush's Christmas Terror Alert, by Michel Chossudovsky, 24 December 2003, http://globalresearch.ca/articles/CHO312D.html
Manufacturing Hysteria: Bogus Terror Threats and Bush's Police State, by Kurt Nimmo, 31 December 2003, http://globalresearch.ca/articles/NIM312A.html
Orange Code Terror Alert based on Fabricated Intelligence, by Michel Chossudovsky 3 January 2004. http://globalresearch.ca/articles/CHO401A.html
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F-ck I miss Arrested Development. Dancing with the Has-been Sh-ts keeps coming back, season after season, and one of the funniest shows on television EVER gets canned after 3 years. What's the problem???
Too much dumbassness is the problem.
Maybe it's because of his characters. After all you'd have to be a sadist to be attracted to Gob, but Will Arnett as Will Arnett only, well, he's hot, non? Check him out arriving in Vancouver yesterday to begin shooting a new pilot. Looks great in a leather jacket. He went out for dinner last night at Blue Water Cafe. Seems to like it there. Dropped in a lot during the Olympics.
And of course you know Will and Amy Poehler are expecting their second child in the fall. Will has said that their son Archie knows the proper hockey allegiance. CANADA. Love them.
Sigh. I miss the Bluths.
Exclusive photos from PUNKD Images


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Epson takes on Runco
Since we had the Runco X-200i ($14,999) and the Epson 6030UB ($3,499) both in house, we were curious to see how they would stack up...
Not only is the Runco X-200i over four times the price, it is three times the weight and size (61 lbs vs. 19 lbs). It just looks like a much more formidable projector and it is certainly more cumbersome to install. The question is---how much better is the picture quality of the X-200i over the 6030UB?
In this shootout between the Runco X-200i and the Epson 6030UB we examine picture quality issues and how they relate to different types of source material. We were surprised to find that in most cases the Epson 6030UB can be calibrated to match or exceed the image performance of the X-200i. See the shootout for all the details and calibrations.
Both of these models are sold by CEDIA custom installers and specialty HT retailers, so you can look those folks up in your neighborhood for further details. But the bottom line on this comparison was that spending premium dollars on a high-end model does not guarantee you a better picture.
Evan Powell


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The president of Microsoft's Business Division, Jeff Raikes, plans to retire in September this year, after 26 years of service. Raikes left his role as a Visicalc engineering manager at Apple to join Microsoft in 1981. He currently oversees a broad stretch of Microsoft's product line, including its Office, Exchange and Dynamics software.
In an interview with CNet's News.com, Raikes noted that Office—which now has more than 500 million users—didn't exist when he joined the company. Microsoft had only 100 employees at that time, compared to about 70,000 now.
CEO Steve Ballmer praised Raikes, saying that "There is no overstating the incredible impact that Jeff has had during his amazing career at Microsoft."
Microsoft's Business Division generated about US$16.4 billion in revenue last year, or slightly less than a third of the company's total.
Raikes will be replaced by former chief operating officer at Juniper Networks, Stephen Elop. Elop, who is slated to start at Microsoft at the end of this month, will take over Raikes' portfolio gradually.


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Correct, Travel Expert!
You know your architecture. Shanghai is home to the second and the fifth tallest buildings in the world. The Shanghai Tower stands 2,073 feet and the Shanghai World Financial Center is 1,614 feet. Currently, the Shanghai Tower is not open to the public, but it is still a magnificent sight in the Shanghai skyline.
You can see it and the Shanghai World Financial Center on a 16 night Asian Cities & Waters Voyage, or one of several other Asian voyages.


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GOP fails to override governor's budget veto; now is the time for a bipartisan agreementOctober 4, 2017
The state House of Representatives met Oct. 3 to consider overriding the veto of the Republican-backed budget, which the governor vetoed Sept. 28 because it is not the answer to Connecticut's fiscal challenges.
The GOP budget would have:
- Raised taxes on working families by cutting the Earned Income Tax Credit;
- Increased the car property tax rate for Bridgeport residents from 37 mills to 54 mills;
- Slashed education funding to Bridgeport by over $7 million and given Greenwich $1 million more;
- Diminished funding to UConn and our state colleges and universities, forcing campuses to close and raising tuition for college students;
- Eliminated the Clean Elections Program, opening the door for big special interest money to get back into our elections;
- Cut workforce development programs at the state Department of Labor, making it harder for businesses to find the workforce they need to thrive;
- Cut many of the social service and youth services programs our residents rely on;
- Relied on unrealistic savings based on underfunding our pension system – the type of irresponsible decision that created our current fiscal challenges.
The Republicans refused to call the question for a vote to override the veto of their own budget. Thankfully, the Republicans must have recognized either the flaws in their plan or that they lacked the support to enact this budget. To those of you who wrote, posted or advocated for the defeat of this budget, I say "THANK YOU."
While it is good news that this budget which was terrible for Bridgeport and would have moved the state backward is off the table, Connecticut still must adopt a responsible spending plan.
The Democratic House Majority Leader has offered a new approach – let's break the issues down and vote to adopt the spending and revenue items all four caucuses and the governor can agree on. There is more that we have in common than there are areas of difference. I hope this new approach will allow for the political rhetoric to subside and create room to find the middle ground needed to end this stalemate.
We believe a proper budget solution must:
- Invest in our workforce and small businesses to grow our economy;
- Streamline state services and make long-term structural changes to bring greater budget stability;
- Provide municipalities with additional budget flexibility and move in the direction of regionalizing services to offer more efficient services;
- Protect the services our communities rely on, including services for our seniors, our children in crisis, and individuals with disabilities;
- Provide education resources where they are needed most;
- Create a new relationship with our urban centers to ensure proper oversight and economic investment.


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Follow RFF News on your cell phone. Text follow rff to 40404 you will receive txt messages with RFF News
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Quote from: Polaroid on November 11, 2012, 08:01:57 PMWHAT IS THIS. I CAN'T HANDLE THIS SUSPENSE.WHAT THE HECK!!!!
James & Abba are team #4, but they need their passports. They cannot check in. Phil says they need to produce the passports. TO BE CONTINUED? ARE YOU KIDDING ME.
I wonder if they had to TBC it because team #1 will be released before someone is eliminated, a la TAR10.
Loved today's episode. It was quite strong. THe coach is the new Russian baker
Aaaahhh..!!!That guy on the twitter live sightings thing is helping the rockers..!!
I wish they would have just eliminated whoever and just ended the leg. There is honestly no reason to span the leg into next episode. We don't need to see the unabridged version of James & Abba search for their passports.
Quote from: ZouLy on November 11, 2012, 08:06:57 PMAaaahhh..!!!That guy on the twitter live sightings thing is helping the rockers..!! Show me that!! Please!
OMG. They used my belarusian library task in my TAR Design challenge...
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